Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

1 KINGS 7:38KJV
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1 Kings 7:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:38 mean?

1 Kings 7:38 describes how ten large washbasins, called lavers, were made out of bronze for Solomon’s temple. Each laver could hold forty baths (a unit of liquid measure), was four cubits in size, and was placed on its own separate stand, making a total of ten bases with ten lavers.

This verse is part of a detailed account of the furnishings made for the temple in Jerusalem during King Solomon’s reign. The passage focuses on the practical and ceremonial items used by the priests, showing the care and scale involved in preparing the temple for worship. The lavers were used for washing, which was an important part of the priests’ duties.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:38

  • "lavers" (כִּיּוֹר, kiyyor): This word refers to a basin or washbowl, specifically used for ritual washing. Its use here highlights the importance of cleanliness and ritual purity in temple service.
  • "baths" (בַּת, bat): This is an ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measurement, often estimated at about 22 liters or 5.8 gallons. Mentioning the capacity emphasizes the large size and practical function of each laver.
  • "bases" (מְכוֹנָה, mekhonah): This word means a stand or pedestal. Each laver had its own base, indicating both mobility and organization in the temple’s layout.

Why 1 Kings 7:38 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple’s furnishings were not only symbolic but also highly functional, supporting the daily work of the priests.
  • The specific measurements and materials show the wealth and craftsmanship involved in Solomon’s temple, reflecting its importance in Israel’s worship life.
  • By describing the lavers and their bases, the verse connects to the broader theme of order and preparation in the temple, helping readers picture the scale and seriousness of ancient worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“baths” Hebrew H1324 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:26 And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
  • 2 Chronicles 4:5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
  • Ezekiel 45:10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

“bases” Hebrew H4350 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:27 And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.
  • 1 Kings 7:35 And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.
  • 2 Kings 25:16 The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

“lavers” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
  • Exodus 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
  • 1 Kings 7:40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

“contained” Hebrew H3557 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
  • 1 Kings 8:64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
  • Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.